Antiochos VIII Epiphanes AR Drachm Antioch Tripod 125–96 BC SC 2304b

Antiochos VIII Epiphanes, Drachm, Silver, reign 125–96 BC, struck at Antioch on the Orontes c. 125–96 BC; 4.15 g; 17 mm.

Anepigraphic obverse with diademed head of Antiochos VIII right, diadem ties falling behind. Reverse BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ; tripod at center, control marks in the fields. Struck on a compact flan, reverse centered with most legend readable; obverse with flatness on high points and light surface granularity; uniform grey tone. SC 2304b. Issued during the late Seleucid civil wars between Antiochos VIII and his half-brother Antiochos IX, this Antioch drachm represents the Syrian core of the shrinking kingdom. Antioch functioned as the principal royal mint and seat of authority. The tripod reverse is an Apolline emblem linked to the sanctuary at Daphne near Antioch, a longstanding Seleucid motif reinforcing the king’s claim to legitimate rule while the empire fragmented.